patrick.net

The alienation of Southern Democrats contributed to the rise of the Right as a result of the dissolution over race, particularly after desegregation efforts following the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and the Barry Goldwater campaign attracted members of the Southern elite into the Republican Party. The Right also grew as a reaction of the progressive culture of the 1960s and a fear of social disintegration. Much of the Christian right's power within the American political system is attributed to their extraordinary turnout rate at the polls. The voters that coexist in the Christian Right are also highly motivated and driven to get out a viewpoint on issues they care about. As well as high voter turnout, they can be counted on to attend political events, knock on doors and distribute literature. Members of the Christian Right are willing to do the electoral work needed to see their candidate elected. Because of their high level of devotion, the Christian right does not need to monetarily compensate these people for their work, thus making them a valuable resource for the Christian right. Led by Robert Grant's Christian Voice, Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority, Ed McAteer's Religious Roundtable Council, James Dobson's Focus on the Family, and Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network, the new Religious Right combined conservative politics with evangelical and fundamentalist teachings. The birth of the New Christian right, however, is usually traced to a 1979 meeting where televangelist Jerry Falwell was urged to create a "Moral Majority" organization.

Early 1960s — Barry Goldwater's political campaign draws much attention from conservative leaders. A number of prominent former Dixiecrats, including Strom Thurmond and Jesse Helms, eventually would switch to the Republican Party.

July 2, 1964 — The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prompts the defection of some Southern Democrats from the Democratic Party.

1972 — The 'Southern strategy' of Richard Nixon's presidential campaign, of exploiting racial anxiety among white voters in the South, eventually leading to a realignment of the South with the Republican Party.

May 15, 1974 - The United States Supreme Court that held, in Bob Jones University v. United States, that the Internal Revenue Service could, without the approval of the United States Congress, revoke the tax exempt status of organizations that are contrary to established public policy. The decision came about from the university's ban of "admission to applicants engaged in an interracial marriage or known to advocate interracial marriage or dating."

1974 — Robert Grant founds the American Christian Cause as an effort to institutionalize the Christian Right as a politically active social movement.

Late 1970s — The New Religious Right becomes much more involved in politics and media.

1978 — Robert Grant, Paul Weyrich, Terry Dolan, Howard Phillips, and Richard Viguerie found Christian Voice, to recruit, train, and organize Evangelical Christians to participate in elections.

1979 — Jerry Falwell founds Moral Majority, which is often said to be the beginning of the New Christian Right.

April 29, 1980 — Washington for Jesus founded by John Giminez, the pastor of Rock Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Dr. William Bright, Benson Idahosa from Africa, and many other high-profile Christians marched on Washington DC, in an effort to support Ronald Reagan's presidential run. This event provides a place for the Christian Right to outline many of their beliefs in speeches and statements.

1981 — Ronald Reagan becomes president, serving two presidential terms (1981–1989). Republicans capture the Senate for the first time since 1952.

April 30, 1987 — Pat Robertson founds the Christian Coalition, which later becomes the most prominent voice in the Christian Right.

1992 — The Christian Coalition produces voter guides and distributes them to conservative Christian churches.

January 20, 2001 — George W. Bush becomes president as a result, in part, from overwhelming support from white conservative evangelical voters.

2004 — Randy Brinson founds Redeem the Vote as an evangelical counterpart to Rock the Vote as the Christian Right begins to take a stand on new issues.

What kind of moral majority hates blacks, mexicans and women... and at the same time calls for the end of abortions and homosexuality?

#politics